Speakers Support School Funding
DPS Principal of the Year Gwen Johnson reads a letter signed by DPS principals in support for school funding
A crowd of more than 400 and some 35 speakers, including Durham Mayor Bill Bell, addressed Durham County Commissioners and Board of Education members at a March 23 Conversation with Commissioners session. Overwhelmingly the speakers spoke in favor of funding for public schools.
The third and final such conversation will be held Tuesday, March 30 at Jordan High School at 7:00 pm.
County Manager Mike Ruffin opened the session describing this discussion as the “first step in a long journey” leading up to the late June adoption of the county budget for 2010-11. Ruffin has proposed a 3% reduction to DPS for the coming year, the same as departments in county government.
The speakers, including Mayor Bell, a number of teachers, parents, the current Principal of the Year and a middle school student all urged commissioners to at least maintain current funding or increase funding to help make up for state cuts—all in order to save teaching positions.
As Mangum Principal and DPS Principal of the Year Gwen Johnson read a letter they all signed, DPS principals stood to show their support for school funding.
Trilby McClammy, DPS PTA Council President, urged commissioners to “invest in our children.” Describing DPS teachers as “miracle workers,” one parent urged commissioners to find other places to cut rather than schools.
Mayor Bell urged commissioners not to “send the wrong signal” to industry and the 50,000 people who are expected to move here by 2017 by considering cutting teaching positions.
Board of Education Chair Minnie Forte-Brown concluded the evening by urging commissioners to help DPS protect the classroom from budget cuts as much as possible.
